2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25101777D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2187
Offered January 8, 2025
Prefiled January 7, 2025
A BILL to amend and reenact 2.2-442 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties.
PatronFreitas
Committee Referral Pending
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 2.2-442 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
2.2-442. Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties.
In addition to any powers described in this chapter, the Children's Ombudsman has the authority to do all of the following with regard to children for whom a report of abuse or neglect was made, children receiving child-protective services, in foster care, or placed for adoption, and children who may have died as a result of alleged abuse or neglect:
1. Pursue all necessary action, including legal action, to protect the rights and welfare of such children;
2. Pursue legislative advocacy in the best interest of such children;
3. Review policies and procedures relating to any child-serving agency's involvement with such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint and make recommendations for improvement;
4. Initiate investigations of administrative acts of the Department, a local department, a children's residential facility, or a child-placing agency in cases relating to such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint; and
5. Subject to an appropriation of funds, commence and conduct investigations into alleged violations of the rights of a foster parent.